PERSONNEL SPECIALIST

Job Description and Duties

Under general supervision of the Program Manager, in the Statewide Disability Program the incumbent is responsible for auditing and processing payroll documentation in compliance with established State and Federal laws, rules, policies, procedures and collective bargaining contract provisions.

This is the trainee through advanced journey level of the Personnel Specialist series, incumbents are assigned progressively more complex and difficult duties as they gain experience and training.

Duties performed:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Audit and process disability payroll transactions, update files and histories.

• Generate daily payroll and supplemental monthly payroll, including processing pay-generating transactions, transfering of funds between appropriations, establishing account receivables, and utilizing PC software and applications to create payroll transactions and research references on the LAN and the Internet.

• Determine and select the correct payroll application, maintain files, update and delete files as necessary.

• Upload files to the mainframe and request specific files to be extracted for overnight processing. Experienced staff may provide functional guidance to trainees.

• Audit, research and resolve computer generated error messages for disability and adjustment transactions, resolving messages that frequently require abstracting and analyzing detailed information and determining correct computations.

• Cross train in other units to support overall improvement of team performance.

• Act as a payroll telephone liaison to state departments by responding to a variety of inquiries.

• Research and resolve inquiries regarding payroll documentation and procedures through the use of reference materials (i.e. the Payroll Procedures Manual, Operations Guide, etc.).

• Provide instructions to customers regarding corrective action as a result of the audit process.

• Route, sort, and distribute incoming documents to appropriate disability unit or staff.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

A resume is required.

A Statement of Qualifications is required; please see ‘Required Application Package Documents’ for instructions.

Take the required examination here: Personnel Specialist Examination

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 8/21/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

State Controller's Office

Human Resources

Attn: Human Resources Office, A.M.

300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

State Controller's Office

Human Resources

Attn: Human Resources Office, A.M.

300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento , CA 95814

Applications dropped off in person must be received by 5 p.m. in HR, by the final filing date.

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in a narrative format, no longer than one page in length, using size 12 font, and stating what interests you about this position as well as responding to the prompts listed below:

  • Describe your specific skills or experience that will allow you to succeed in the Personnel Specialist classification.
  • Describe your experience working in a fast-paced environment and your ability to organize/prioritize work to meet deadlines.

  Applications submitted without the SOQ in a narrative format will automatically be excluded from the recruitment process. Resumes and cover letters cannot be substituted for the SOQ and applications submitted without the SOQ will not be considered for the position.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Jesse Rios
(916) 322-3682

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 324-2223

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.